Don't bother with consistency: The intellectually honest NYT notes a disconnect in Kim's image — "In one ad she promotes QuickTrim weight-loss products; in another, Carl's Jr."— but it doesn't seem to matter.

Be everything to everyone: The paper asked fans what Kim represents, the answers were all over the place. Fans think she stands for "the average girl" or "fashion," and one explains: "She has an ethnic sex appeal. I like how she created a franchise with her sisters. That opens a lot of opportunities for women who have a spark of beauty and want to shine. She reminds me of Sophia Loren."

Ask your fans for input: Unlike celebs who cultivate an aloof image, Kim is accessible. "When she was deciding on a color for her Kim Kardashian perfume bottle, she asked her followers on Twitter whether they preferred a hot pink or a light pink."

Besides her ability to keep herself in the media (with or without clothes on), on TV, or on the boxes of various products, what do you think makes the Kim Kardashian brand so popular — and profitable?